IMPD offers free steering wheel locks to Kia, Hyundai owners
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is offering some residents free steering wheel locks after an increase in Hyundai and Kia thefts.
To receive a lock, you must:
- Reside in Indianapolis.
- Have your current vehicle registration.
- Own a Hyundai from model years 2015-2021 and/or a Kia from 2011-2021.
Locks will be available from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday in the lobby near the Market Street entrance of the City-County Building.
More than 200 steering locks had been distributed by midafternoon Tuesday, said IMPD Lt. Shane Foley.
IMPD will also have steering wheel locks at each district office. Kia and Hyundai owners can pick up a lock from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, while supplies last.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced last week that the city has joined a national lawsuit against the automakers due to a recent spike in thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia models.
The city is seeking reimbursement for public safety costs associated with the thefts.
Specific Kia and Hyundai models are not equipped with anti-theft safeguards, making them easier targets for car thieves.
“Some 2015 through 2019 Hyundai and Kia models are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of similar age because many of them lack some of the basic auto theft prevention technology included in most other vehicles in those years,” the Highway Loss Data Insitute said in September.
The lawsuit calls on the automakers to reimburse the city for public safety costs associated with the thefts.
Mayor Hogsett says the city’s seen a 24% increase in auto thefts this year, almost exclusively involving Kia and Hyundai models.
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